Cadillac SRX First Generation Forum - 2004 - 2009 Discussion, Water in rear jack compartment? in Cadillac SRX Forums; Finally got a chance to use the SRX's jack last weekend and noticed that the carpet in the jack compartment ...

Water in rear jack compartment?

Finally got a chance to use the SRX's jack last weekend and noticed that the carpet in the jack compartment was soaked with water. I'm not sure how long it's been like that, but we did get some good rain last week. Now I know why there has been a mildew smell in my car all this time. I tried to figure out how water could have leaked in, but found nothing definate. I suspect the seam between the rear hatch and the rest of the body or maybe the ultraview roof gasket.

I've made in appointment with the dealer to bring it in to have it looked at along with the ECM recall. I'll keep you guys posted.

If you haven't done so, please check your jack compartment to see if you have a similar problem. I can't be the only one.

Re: Water in rear jack compartment?

Originally Posted by vdo

Finally got a chance to use the SRX's jack last weekend and noticed that the carpet in the jack compartment was soaked with water. I'm not sure how long it's been like that, but we did get some good rain last week. Now I know why there has been a mildew smell in my car all this time. I tried to figure out how water could have leaked in, but found nothing definate. I suspect the seam between the rear hatch and the rest of the body or maybe the ultraview roof gasket.

I've made in appointment with the dealer to bring it in to have it looked at along with the ECM recall. I'll keep you guys posted.

If you haven't done so, please check your jack compartment to see if you have a similar problem. I can't be the only one.

I had ther same problem, jack was all rusted out also. But my problem was because of the dealer, not the car. They had spilt a large amount of liquid and never dried out that region.

Re: Water in rear jack compartment?

Same here. Car is brand new and was exposed to alot of rain last month. While removing the jack, the carpet under it was soaked. Things were more complicated though, because there is almost an inch of insulating material under the carpet and it would not dry. Car has been in the garage with a heater under the spare wheel and one week later it seems to be almost dry. Try inserting your finger in the hole where the spare lowering nut is located. Move your finger under the insulation. Rear hatch seal looks OK, and the ultraview gasket also OK. The roof is allowed to "leak" some water, hence the roof drains which exit around midway down the rear hatch sides outboard (of course) of the seal.

Re: Water in rear jack compartment?

We had the same problem. Noticed it the night we bought the car, of course it was after we got home. The car was back in the service department before thy had logged it into the system as sold...

Turned out that it wasn't the hatch or the sunroof but a seam somewhere in the rear area. Had to have the entire rear carpet replaced. When was yours built? Ours has a build date of April '04.

MIne was built Jan '04. Looks like the water has been in there for a long time. Parts of my jack are rusted making it unusable. I wonder if there's other stuff under there like wiring or electronics that may be damaged. Because of all the recalls, my dealer is booked up and I can't bring my SRX in for another two weeks. Can't wait to get this mildew smell out of my car

Re: Water in rear jack compartment?

Originally Posted by vdo

Thanks for the replies.
MIne was built Jan '04. Looks like the water has been in there for a long time. Parts of my jack are rusted making it unusable. I wonder if there's other stuff under there like wiring or electronics that may be damaged. Because of all the recalls, my dealer is booked up and I can't bring my SRX in for another two weeks. Can't wait to get this mildew smell out of my car

Better have the carpet/insulation replaced. You might get it dry but you may never get the mildew smell out. Our experience with a car that was flooded and the carpet dried out was that in about two years the carpet simply started falling apart.

Re: Water in rear jack compartment?

Sorry to hear of wet jack areas. Have the dealer seal the seam/flange for the liftgate weather seal. Also replace the seal will help. In the jack compartment just in the middle of the back panel is a small hole that the water is coming from. The leak could be anywhere however, this is just were the water ends up. On ultra view jobs look under the luggage rack for a seam that did not get sealed, just in front of the rear fasteren. Also make sure the wire harness tubes are not interfering with the weather seal when closing the liftgate. Good luck Need any help e mail me.

Re: Water in rear jack compartment?

Re: Water in rear jack compartment?

Probably too lte with this but I will post any way. I had the same problem with 2004 V6 SRX. Turns out that it was a bad seal on the high tail light over the hatch. Required removing old light, replacing gasket and new light and paintiing the whoel shooting match. Problem solved. They first tried reseating the hatch seal and adjusting the hatch. Both times they brought in an outside specialist in water leaks. At least my service guys stuck with the problem till they got it solved.
Maybe this will help someone else!!!

Re: Water in rear jack compartment?

Just when I thought that I had solved the water in the rear jack compartment, the car spent 3 days parked in torrential rain and today the jack compartment had a fair share of water in it. Water is coming from the small hole in the middle of the back panel as per DUALCAMS34 post above. This is a double panel so I can't see inside. Would a bad seal on the tail lights cause this? Any ideas greatly appreciated!!
I live in Greece where service is not well organized. Car is 01/04 built V8 AWD with ultraview.